Hari Om!
With a heavy heart we inform you that Shri Laju Chanrai, a long-time devotee of Pujya Gurudev, attained His lotus feet in London this morning, Thursday 7 January 2021, at age 81. Lajuji has been a stalwart of Chinmaya Mission for decades. He will be remembered for his cheerful countenance and readiness to lend a hand wherever and whenever required. A storehouse of information, his sharp mind has helped to resolve many a complex issue.
To fulfil her request and to please his mother, Smt. Kamala Chanrai, Lajuji met Pujya Gurudev for the first time in 1965-66, at Mumbai. The rest is history.
Pujya Gurudev appointed Shri Laju Chanrai as Trustee on the Boards of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT), Tara Cultural Trust (TCT) and Chinmaya Tapovan Trust (CTT). Later he served as Director on the Management Committee of Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) and a Trustee of Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD) and Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth. His contribution to Chinmaya Mission UK, Lagos and South Africa is a legacy he will be especially remembered for.
A hands-on person, always available, he was never found wanting in discharging the duties assigned to him. The Chanrai home played host to Pujya Gurudev many a time and his last stay at their home was in June 1993, at London. Lajuji’s wife, Kavitaji, always willingly supported him in all his duties.
We offer prayers to grant strength to the family in this hour of loss. Lajuji’s devotion and seva has been an inspiration to many of us and he remains now ever at the feet of Pujya Gurudev.
At His Feet,
Swami Swaroopananda
